Single goal decides cup clash

Brakes faced a challenging away FA Cup match at Bedworth in September 1973, having beaten Redditch away in the opening round. ‘Gerry Baker, Bedworth United’s player-manager, returns to the FA Cup scene tomorrow.  And that could well be bad news for AP Leamington when the teams clash at The Oval.  

For Baker is something of a FA Cup expert.   He scored in the FA Cup for all the First Division teams he played for and netted a hat trick for Nuneaton Borough in his cup debut at Atherstone.   And he holds the Scottish Cup record for goals scored in one game.  He netted 10 times for St. Mirren in their 15-0 win over Glasgow University.   It will be Baker’s cup debut for Bedworth and the impressive AP outfit will be in for a tough match.  Manager Jimmy Knox takes a 13-man squad, but is still without Tom Swinnie.’

‘Tom Sweenie, AP Leamington’s brilliant midfield player, has not kicked a ball this season.  It is a worrying time for Sweenie and AP manager Jimmy Knox.  But this week the little Scot at last reported that his injured knee was feeling “a little easier”.  Sweenie, who played First Division football with Leicester City, had a cartilage operation on July 20. 

Current City skipper Keith Weller had a similar operation at the same time and both players received regular physiotherapy treatment at Filbert Street.   But while Weller is now back in action, Sweenie is wondering when he will be able to start training.  He is suffering from muscle wastage on his thigh and may have to go back into hospital to have fluid drained from his knee.’

‘Trevor Shepherd, the ex-Coventry City striker who packs dynamite in his right boot, fired a great match winner to take Bedworth United into the second qualifying round.  AP won the toss and put United to face the sun.  Hubbard, AP’s centre forward, had to receive treatment after two minutes of play.   United had the better of the opening minutes, but AP went close when Hubbard centred from the by-line and Potter headed inches over the bar.   Hubbard missed a possible chance for AP.  Foster gave him a cross, but the striker fired well over the bar.

 In the first 20 minutes there was little to choose between the two sides, but free kicks were numerous against both teams.  From one, Shepherd fired a terrific strike inches wide as Jones failed to move in goal.    Half time 0-0.  Shepherd netted three minutes from time to settle a tie that seemed set for a replay.  The wonder goal was one of the finest seen at The Oval this season, but there was no celebration for AP Leamington who had the edge for most of the game.  As their manager Jimmy Knox said after the game, “we gave them one chance and they took it.”’